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A Million has its press conference

The movie Billion [10억] seems to have adopted the English-language title A Million, which is odd since the title literally means “a billion.” I can only surmise that this is a rough conversion of money, since 1 billion won is a little less than 1 million dollars, which is the prize money in the plot of this reality-game-based thriller.

The plot is basically what you would get if you smooshed Survivor with The Most Dangerous Game: A group of contestants is dropped off on an island and made to compete against each other for a large cash prize. But in the hands of a psycho producer, the game takes a macabre turn.

When the film was first announced, the plot seemed okay, but what caught my attention was its star-studded cast, mixing up-and-comers with established Hallyu names: Shin Mina, Park Hae-il, Lee Min-ki, Park Hee-soon, Jung Yumi, Lee Chun-hee, and Go Eun-ah.

You can see the film’s Survivor influence in this above still, can’t you? Right down to the printed flag stuck in the sand.

Billion / A Million held its production press conference on June 17, and four of the main cast were in attendance (although I was sorry to see some missing, such as Jung Yumi and Lee Chun-hee).

The film opens on July 16. Here are the main cast members Shin Mina and Lee Min-ki, pictured with Park Hae-il and Park Hee-soon in the third photo:

At the press conference, Shin Mina laughingly recounted how she had been at the beach practicing for a scene involving a raft-making game, when the managers started screaming, “Shark!” She hurriedly made her way to land, where they realized it was merely a dolphin.

She also explained that she had shot a lot of her projects as the sole actress among a group of actors (Go Go 70, The Naked Kitchen), “but this time I had unnis with me. We shared a room together and cooked together, and became good friends.”

Here she flashes her trademark smile (and her enviable legs):

 
Lee Min-ki always has a… unique fashion sense that you also see of trendy model-actors like Kim Jae-wook. I dig the upswept hair, but I cannot get behind those pants, or, as I like to call them, The Front-Butt Pants Of Doom. Sorry, not even for you, Min-ki.

 
Meanwhile, Park Hae-il was given credit as the reason for Park Hee-soon’s involvement in this project. Said Park Hee-soon, “I had had the chance to act with him a few times in the past, but they never worked out. This time, he called to say let’s do this together, so that’s the biggest reason why.”

Park Hae-il said in return that he’d been impressed back when he was in his early theater days and seen Park Hee-soon performing, and thought he’d like to be like him.

 

There’s something about Park Hee-soon that always kinda freaks me out (but in a good way). Good thing he’s playing the psychopath game-show director, right? He always makes me think, “sexy, scary bastard”:

Via My Daily, Asia Economy

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Awww...Lee Min-ki (mine?) and Shin Mina; a combo guaranteed to get me to watch. I love them, they're both such cutie-pies. I'd kill for her legs and to-die-for dimples!

As cute as he is, LMK reminds me of a real-life Simpsons character! Just me?

LOL at the "Front-Butt Pants of Doom"...spot on! The boy is clearly desperate for the influence of a fashion-savvy woman in his life!

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The 'Boy' is so sexy, plus, a former model, so he can literally wear anything and look good in it. No help needed here at all!

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How much of an influence does Min Ki have on his coordi?

Gotta agree on the hair, that being the first thing I noticed, as it's slightly darker than the one in the photo taken by his music production company just a few days ago.

If this movie is set to premiere in mid July, when is Haeundae's premiere? End of July?

I believe they just held a briefing of some sort yesterday in Busan (w/ the director, Seol Kyeong Gu, Kang Ye Won, and I believe, Kim In Kwon, in attendence). Another briefing is to held tomorrow (with the other missing cast members supposedly attending as well).

Min Ki is sure going to be busy July and August, especially when he officially releases his first album (it's not a digital one either), under LOCKSMITH by SHYOSHYO type, with One-Two, a French Parisian duo made up of Frederic Beucher and Severin Tezenas du Montcel, as producers. Min Ki has also personally written several of the songs to be on the album.

And the self-produced/written DVD ("NEWS OF THE IMAGINATION") he'll have out by the end of the year in Japan...so, definitely no tv drama any time soon.

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Just want to add that the movie's intro/teaser is now available for viewing.

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Lee Chun Hee is missing? Aw, hopefully this has nothing to do with the suspicion of his involvement with JJH's drugs scandal.

Seems interesting movie. I like Shin Mina...will check it out later!

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oh those pants BURN my eyessssssss. (just look at the face..just look at the face...)

i think this will be a fun production to watch. at least i hope so!

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oooh didn't recognize him :O

His skin is so clear that I thought he wasn't real.... too perfect o.o

But cute~

I like Lee Minki and Shin Mina so this seems like something fun to watch during my boring summer days~

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I am intrigued I must say.

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"Lee Min-ki always has a… unique fashion sense that you also see of trendy model-actors like Kim Jae-wook. I dig the upswept hair, but I cannot get behind those pants, or, as I like to call them, The Front-Butt Pants Of Doom. Sorry, not even for you, Min-ki."

Sarah, I must remember to refrain from eating (and drinking) while reading your posts....
'cause I certainly do not have the ability to eat and laugh without the severe risk of choking to death. ;)

Is there a way to etch that reminder on my brain?

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I thought 억 is 100,000, so 10억 would be 1,000,000 or a million. Not a billion.

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nevermind, you already mentioned dollars instead of won.

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The cast line-up is really attractive.

Lee Min Ki is already enough to pull me in... but with Lee Cheon Hee, Shin Mina, Park Hae Il..etc in it as well, definitely can't miss this.

I love LMK's hair, but yeah, his style is weird..

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i dig shin mina's look here. :D
even though her dress looks like it was stepped around by the boots that's she's wearing and to make up for it, there's boot prints all over to make a "pattern" :p
but don't get me wrong, coz somehow the design works for me. hehe.

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i want to watch this movie !

but i have a question... how much does a "survivor" win at the end of the game ? is it really this prize, 1 million $ or 1 billion won ? for the french game, it is 100 000 € for the winner

#6 : i didnt recognize him neither at 1st glance ^^"
but i love lee min ki hairstyle, i like the first two pictures of him, but i have to say, i dont like the pants he wears neither....

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lollllllll minki's pants. SOMETIMES, ahjooooo gakkeum, they work. but now when they droop THAT low, haha.

i wish i could do the same up-do though!

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I'm excited for this movie's release. Shin MinAh's "shark" account makes me laugh, but grateful that it was a dolphin.

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forgot to mention, why is shin mina so cute and pretty? love her full brows and huge dimples!

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Ohmygod! Shin Minah is everywhere! I'm so sick of her. She tries very very hard, but she will never reach the heights of a Jeon Ji Hyun or Song Hae Kyo in terms of popularity, or even a Yoon Eun Hye. Shin just lacks that X-factor.

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I like Lee Minki (very much in Dalja Spring, not quite as much in Evasive Agency, but quite a bit anyway because the basic character I felt was the same other than the work ethic)).

The way he crafted a persona that exuded warmth + intelligence + patience into his Dalja character was something to behold - a unique take rare in korean guys that iknow or have seen.

That's the kind of guy I'd like to be, with none of the jal-lan-chuk (bravado) or prickly exterior that I see in so many korean ajussi's out there.

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I am the biggest Shin Min Ah fan and I make it a point to watch all her projects (even if they disappoint me). That said, I still have never seen 'Punch' and I'd love to (it's never been subbed!!).

Is she the sole female in this movie? Well, I know she's not, but I'm guessing she's the main female? Is that the only reason why she's the only female at the press conference?

Also, does she and Lee Min Kee hook up in the movie? Because I've only seen Min Kee in 3 episodes of that Eugene drama but he was completely adorable in those 3 episodes so I get why girls fangirl over him.

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omg where's chunhee???? I hope he's alright

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Wow Lee Min Ki looks amazing in these photos... Hes always cute, though I usually think its largely due to his personality... here he is down right beautiful. His stylist deserves a raise.

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Shin Min Ah!!! Jung Yumi!!! These two I really like!

but I cannot get behind those pants, or, as I like to call them, The Front-Butt Pants Of Doom. Sorry, not even for you, Min-ki.

Hehehe, I have a couple of those dropped crotch pants in denims though, and not as severely droopy as his. I only wear them in the city. :D

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quoting Min Ki at the press conference: "I personally dislike having a masculine body."

That will explain his physique in the movie.

"He stated that he didn't care much about his outer appearance considering the fact that he was a former marine corps sergeant. Which is why he didn't think it was necessary to have a masculine body."

(thanks purpletiger86 for that translation)

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@ Piper 17

Shin MinAh is everywhere because she is talented, pretty, and there are people who like her. Plus, she is willing to take a pay cut to participate in films. In her last 5 movies, she did two, low budget indie movies (Sisters and Kitchen) and she took a pay reduction for Billion.
Why must SMA always have to be compared with other actresses, she does her own thing and has her own flow. MinAh has blossomed into a beautiful woman in the last couple of years, and I love that she has many colours to her. She looks so different in all her CF and ad campaigns.
MinAh has a quiet, shy and guarded personality, but she comes to life infront of the camera. She has been in the industry since 2001 and was a model during her middle school years, and has worked with countless talented people, on screen and behind the scenes. I'm glad that she has a lot of exposure lately and I hope it continues. *sorry for the rant*

@ mishane 19

hey, I'm a big MinAh fan also. I'll support her, even though I've been disappointed in her last 3 movies I have seen, but I've yet to see Sisters. Her acting was decent in those movies, but the storyline/plot and editing or the Eng subbing were a failure for me. I'm wishing, Billion fares better. I'm currently re-watching Punch, sort of difficult without Eng subs, but MinAh's and Joo JinMo's acting and chemistry is astounding, so I'm enjoying it. But in Punch, I'm distracted by Sung Shikyung's acting and facial expressions. I was hoping MinAh will get to act again with JJM, but alas he is in drama currently.

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i think the title is supposed to be a million
10억 is 10x100,000 so that would make it 1,000,000

anyways, ahhh what a lovely cast!

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sandra, i think your math is off. an "억" is 100 million, not 100 thousand.

so 10 x 100,000,000 = 1 billion

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Lee Min Ki has the unique most beautiful sexy single lidded Asian eyes that I love so much. He looks amazing in these pictures.

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"Ohmygod! Shin Minah is everywhere! I’m so sick of her. She tries very very hard, but she will never reach the heights of a Jeon Ji Hyun or Song Hae Kyo in terms of popularity, or even a Yoon Eun Hye. Shin just lacks that X-factor."

@piper

I have to disagree - while maybe Shin Mina may not reach the heights of popularity of a JJH or YEH, that has more to do w/ the fact that she hasn't (yet) been in a project that swept Korea - she definitely has that X-factor (similar charisma/outgoing personality) which JJH and YEH have.

Otoh, SHG, while very pretty, doesn't have that natural charisma that the other 3 have.

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Jeez people, relax! I know some of you adore her, but there's nothing to be so defensive about. I'm not saying that Shin Minah is ugly, a bad actress or has a bad character, just that I think she lacks that X-factor - a special spark or charisma if you want to call it that - to truly be phenomenally popular and have cross-over appeal that even non-hallyu fans know her name. And so far, I have been right about Shin Minah. She hasn't managed to attain the level of top popularity (don't talk about JJH or SHK, Shin Minah is not even on the same level of a Lee Dahae or Kim Tae Hee) nor critical acclaim for her acting (what awards has she won for acting? Clue me in, I don't know of any that Shin Minah has won). even though she's starred in many dramas and movies with very popular male costars. Somehow, either the drama flops or the movie is marginally successful but all the attention goes to Shin's co-stars and not her.

If one day Shin Minah picks a challenging role and not her usual cutesy type girly role and gains much critical acclaim for her acting, then I might change my view about her. Right now I think Shin Minah is a poor man's Jeon Ji Hyun. I'm not going to see this movie because I'm so tired of seeing her bland acting and "try too hard to be cute" face, even though I kinda like Lee Minki. But that's no reason to not watch the movie for those of you who like them both, eh? That's it, I'm out.

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omg i love lee minki! (and i totally agree with you-i LOATHE those pants...hahah)

this looks pretty interesting!

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@ piper

Uhh, I think YOU need to relax.

All, I'm saying is that Shin Mina does have the overt charisma that JJH and YEH have (unlike actresses who don't have the same type of "bubbly" personalities like SHG or LDH who have become popular mostly for their beauty).

Again, it has to do w/ the fact that Shin Mina hasn't yet been in a breakout hit.

JJH had the same charisma when she made films like "White Valentine" or "Il Mare" - but it wasn't until the monster hit "My Sassy Girl" that she b/c really popular.

Same goes for YEH, who had the same bubbly personality when she made "The Legend of Seven Cutter" prior to the big hits "Goong" and "Coffee Prince."

The lack of charisma isn't the reason why Shin Mina hasn't achieved the level of popularity of a JJH or YEH (tho, she isn't that far off considering the amount of companies who have her filming CFs for them) - that's all I'm saying.

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lee min ki looks hott!!!

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They filmed this in Margaret River & Lancelin in Western Australia. My lucky housemate worked for the Korean travel agency that managed them while they were here. DAMN I COULD HAVE STALKED THEM!! WHAT WAS I THINKING???!!

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@bd

For the last time, you need to chill and re-read my post. You misunderstood what X-factor is and you're going off on a whole different tangent here. When I said Shin Minah lacks the X-factor, I wasn't talking about "bubbly personality". That's not what X-factor is all about. Song Hae Kyo has that X-factor, even if she doesn't have an extroverted, lively onscreen persona. It's hard to define what X-factor is exactly, it's that special quality that makes you memorable and stand out to an audience even if the movie/drama you are in sucks, or your acting is not yet up to par, but still there's something unique or memorable about you that the audience have noticed. Whether it's natural good looks, charisma or personality, most people can agree when an actor or actress has it. Jeon Ji Hyun has it in spades. Han Ye Seul has it. Jung Ryeo Won has it. And Kim So Eun seems to have it too. But Shin Minah? Not so much. She has her dedicated, vocal small group of fans who stick up for her, sure - but Shin has been given too many chances starring as main leads in many movies and dramas and still she's failed to truly break out as a huge star or give a memorable performance that has everyone talking about her.

If Shin had that X-factor inside her in the first place, she wouldn't have had to try so hard and would have reached success years ago. She's in the same age group as YEH, Lee Da Hae, Han Ji Hye, Han Yesul etc, and they're all way more popular than her. It's not an excuse that Shin Minah lacks the opportunities and roles to do it - an actress with lots of X-factor will even make a bad movie tolerable and enjoyable, just to watch her acting onscreen alone. Shin just doesn't have that ability to hook an audience. No offence to Shin Minah fans for my harsh comments, but it's my honest opinion. You don't have to agree with me, but I stand by what I said. That's all.

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three hot dudes and a babe...
yeah..at least MinKi got rid of the ugly hair color..he's so beastly cute but the main reason has got to be Park Hae-il...awesome actor.

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does anyone know if this movie is based off/inspired by something else?

I'm not making a plagarism accusation or anything (those are soo overplayed these days!) but from the little of the plot that they've explained it reminds me a of a recent Bollywood movie I've seen. The plot revolved around a prize money competition gone deadly, as each level players were permanently 'eliminated' while there lives were gambled on by people outside of the game. To be honest I hated that movie w/ the sick and gruesome plot...and I know this "plot" isn't anything new, but I was curious

thx

ps. LMK fighting!!! even if this project is as I suspect I'll support you otherwise :)!

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f**K you , you moron.i like shin min a alot

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